Top Scholar

Chapter 594 The Must-Eat List of the Ming Dynasty

When Su Lu got off work in the evening, he went to his father's courtyard to perform the "returning home to report in the evening" ritual.

Even before entering, the aroma of roasting meat wafted from the courtyard. Pushing open the gate, one could see a charcoal brazier and a grill set up under the eaves, where Tang Bohu and Su Youcai were grilling chicken wings while drinking and chatting.

Seeing Su Lu enter, Su Youcai, his mouth bulging, greeted him in a muffled voice, "Hongzhi, come and try these, Bohu's chicken wings are absolutely amazing!"

“Okay.” Su Lu sat down next to the two with great interest. He definitely had to try Tang Bohu’s roasted chicken wings.

He took a golden-brown, glistening chicken wing. Before even taking a bite, the aroma of caramelized fat mingled with a sweet honey scent, incredibly enticing. He bit into it, and the crispy skin crackled softly. The honey flavor, mingled with the smoky aroma of charcoal, exploded on his tongue. The chicken inside was tender and juicy, bursting with flavor…

"How is it?" Tang Bohu asked Su Lu, feigning ease.

"The golden wings are roasted until they are coated with honey, and the rich, fatty meat is infused with a delicate fragrance." Su Lu couldn't help but exclaim. "These are the most delicious chicken wings I've ever eaten."

"Haha, you have a good eye!" Tang Bohu's eyebrows relaxed, and he laughed smugly, "You've hit the nail on the head with just one sentence."

The three of them drank wine, ate, and chatted. Su Lu casually asked, "Brother Bohu, you've been in the capital for half a year now. How are you doing at the Imperial Academy? Can you stand the restrictions?"

"I really don't think so." Tang Bohu brushed honey with a wolf-hair brush and sighed endlessly, "When I was young, as soon as I entered the school, I felt like I was in a prison. I kept wanting to go to the toilet and couldn't sit still. I just couldn't sit still."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Back in school at this age, I feel every day is precious and I can't bear to waste it. I live a simple life, burying myself in my studies. Now that I'm on vacation, I'm not used to it anymore."

"Huh?" Su Lu almost dropped the chicken wing in his mouth upon hearing this. "Dad, you're on vacation?"

"Yeah, I told you yesterday." Su Youcai nodded.

"Oh dear, I forgot." Su Lu slapped his forehead apologetically, "Why didn't you tell me I took you to school today?"

"I thought you wanted me to study on my own..." Su Youcai said with a wry smile, "Now that my son is successful, as his father, I have no choice but to obey your arrangements."

"Pfft..." Tang Bohu almost spat out wine from his nostrils. "The relationship between you two is amazing, it's truly enviable."

"A son becomes more like a relative as he grows up, and besides, is my son just an ordinary son? Let's treat him like a brother." Su Youcai was getting a little carried away and blurted out his true feelings.

"No wonder you call me 'Brother Xian' and he calls me 'Brother Bohu'!" Tang Bohu couldn't help but laugh.

“We each have our own perspectives, we’re not the same.” Su Lu quickly shook his head and said, “Father will always be Father. Come on, Father, let’s have a toast.”

"Come on, son, let's have a drink." Su Youcai clinked glasses with Su Lu, then turned the conversation back to Tang Bohu, saying, "To be honest, I truly admire Brother Bohu. He's no ordinary man! Hongzhi, you don't know, your brother Bohu has three unique skills!"

Su Lu took a sip of wine, smiled and nodded: "I know, poetry, calligraphy and painting are the three perfections."

“Ah, that can only be considered one of his specialties.” Su Youcai shook his head and said, “There are two other specialties as well. First, his writing is superb. No one in the entire Imperial Academy can compare to his writing. Second, his will is exceptional. Some shallow people openly or secretly mock him and humiliate him in roundabout ways, but he never gets angry. He just learns as he should and doesn’t take it to heart at all.”

"What do you mean by 'determined will'? It's just that I'm too lazy to bother with mediocre people." Tang Bohu said indifferently, "Compared to the harm my fellow villagers have done to me, what are these sarcastic remarks?"

Su Lu nodded secretly upon hearing this. He had been observing Tang Bohu for half a year, and this time when he came to the capital, he was indeed very different.

He put down his wine cup and asked him, "Brother Bohu, I know your paintings of women are unparalleled, but what about your paintings of men?"

"I never paint men," Tang Bohu said proudly. "Painting is meant to depict the beauty of the world; painting birds and such is a complete waste of ink!"

He paused, then coughed and said, "However, if you ask, my dear brother, I can make an exception."

“Then thank you very much, Brother Bohu,” Su Lu said with a smile, “but the person who wants a portrait is not me, but the Emperor.”

"Huh?" Tang Bohu's chicken wing fell into the charcoal fire. "Your Majesty?"

Su Lu didn't keep him in suspense any longer. "The Emperor's portrait still hasn't been finalized. We've tried many painters, but none of them have met His Majesty's expectations. I plan to recommend Brother Bohu to paint the Emperor's portrait. If it's accepted, your matter can be completely resolved."

"Really?!" Tang Bohu jumped up excitedly, almost knocking over the charcoal brazier. He bowed and clasped his hands in thanks to Su Lu. "Thank you, my brother! Leave this to me. I will definitely live up to your expectations and paint the Emperor as majestic and spirited!"

"Haha, that would be great!" Su Lu laughed happily.

Su Youcai chimed in happily, "Great! Great! My brother has finally made it through!"

"Thank you very much, Brother Yunwen." Tang Bohu bowed gratefully to Su Youcai again.

That night, Tang Bohu stayed at the Zhuangyuan Mansion, repeatedly discussing with Su Lu the details of painting the emperor's portrait, pondering how to use his brush to fully express the emperor's majesty...

Su Lu told Tang Bohu, "I've seen all the portrait drafts by those painters before, and to be honest, their painting skills are all quite good." "Of course, the court painters are all masters among masters," Tang Bohu said.

"But either the painting is too realistic, and it doesn't match the image of himself in the Emperor's mind. He always feels that it doesn't capture that majestic and extraordinary imperial aura. Or it's too handsome, and the Emperor feels that it doesn't look like him, so naturally he doesn't like it."

"Although I don't know how to paint, I do understand the true essence of 'beautification,' which is to enhance without distorting reality." Su Lu advised Tang Bohu.
"So all you need to do is put the same effort and skill into painting a woman's portrait, and paint a picture that makes the Emperor recognize 'this is me' at a glance, and also makes him think to himself 'I am indeed heroic and handsome,' and then the matter will be settled!"

Su Youcai was dumbfounded. He finally understood why his son was so favored by the emperor. He was just too perceptive!

"I see, I see! Isn't that exactly how I felt when I was painting to impress girls?" Tang Bohu, though not very perceptive, was quite insightful and immediately understood.

"Based on his true appearance, we made a few minor adjustments to highlight his handsome features and charm, concealing his flaws and showcasing his strengths! We preserved the emperor's original features and outlines, making his eyebrows, eyes, and expressions lifelike, while adding a touch of heroic spirit to his bone structure and a touch of imperial handsomeness to his demeanor!"

"Look at that, that's professionalism!" Su Lu said to Su Youcai with a smile, "Bone structure and demeanor, Brother Bohu has grasped two fundamental points right away!"

~~
The next morning, Su and Lu took Tang Bohu to the Leopard House.

As soon as Tang Bohu stepped out of the gate of the Zhuangyuan Mansion, he was deeply impressed by the convoy escorting Su Lu—dozens of fully armed guards lined both sides, with two escort carriages in front and behind. Although no banners were displayed, such a grand procession was something even the princes and nobles in the capital could not match.

After getting into the carriage, Tang Bohu couldn't help but ask, "Brother, we're only a few steps from the Leopard House, is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?"

Su Lu smiled wryly upon hearing this: "Brother Bohu, do you think I want this? With so many people surrounding me, I have no freedom at all. But these are the guards arranged by the Emperor, and I have no choice."

Tang Bohu couldn't help but say enviously, "The Emperor truly values ​​my worthy brother..."

Su Lu shook his head. "These guards were appointed for a specific purpose, not because of my own position. I am currently on a very important mission that cannot be taken lightly, so His Majesty has arranged for me to be protected."

"I see..." Tang Bohu suddenly realized that this made much more sense.

“Painting the emperor’s portrait is also part of this job,” Su Lu added.

Upon hearing this, Tang Bohu couldn't help but wonder what kind of job Su Lu was doing. However, he didn't ask any more questions and just nodded silently.

Before long, the convoy arrived at the gate of the Leopard Palace. Song Xiaoyi presented Tang Bohu with the visitor pass that had been prepared for him... a temporary visitor pass for officials from outside the capital to enter the palace. It was made of plain bamboo and had his name, the reason for his visit, and the designated gate written on it.

The Su brothers also got off the carriage and the three of them walked into the Leopard House.

Tang Bohu had long heard various rumors about the Leopard Chamber, all saying it was incredibly absurd. Now, entering it in person, he found it to be nothing more than an ordinary palace courtyard, with nothing particularly shocking. However, the presence of dogs everywhere suggested the security was a bit too tight.

Good heavens, there's even a leopard...

Su Lu asked with a smile, "What, is it different from what's being said outside?"

Tang Bohu nodded and answered truthfully: "It is said that the Leopard Chamber is a place of wine pools and meat forests, with countless Western beauties serving him. The emperor neglects state affairs all day long, indulging in pleasure here and doing things like... the deeds of King Zhou of Yin."

The last four words were uttered as softly as a mosquito's buzz.

"Hahaha!" Su Lu and his brother couldn't help but laugh. "The rumors are too outrageous. There should be a limit to slander."

Su Lu then said to Tang Bohu, "The Emperor hasn't gotten up yet. Brother Bohu, come with me to Donggui Hall for tea. Once the Emperor gets up, someone will come to inform him."

Tang Bohu asked somewhat reservedly, "Don't we need to wait outside the hall?"

“No need.” Su Lu shook his head gently. “This isn’t the Forbidden City; there aren’t so many formalities here.”

As the three walked along, Tang Bohu saw that the southeast corner of the Leopard House had become a large construction site, with piles of wood and stone building materials, and craftsmen busy at work, their shouts rising and falling, working with great enthusiasm...

It wasn't until they arrived at Donggui Hall that the surroundings quieted down. Tang Bohu saw that it was a small and elegant courtyard, with a bronze plaque at the entrance bearing sixteen striking characters:

"Secret words spoken within the palace walls, once heard, must be kept silent. Imperial secrets are held in your hands; not a single word may be divulged."

The courtyard was surrounded by guards with their hands on their swords, their eyes sharp. Anyone entering or leaving had to have their token checked, and the security was extremely tight.

But once you step into this small courtyard, the scene inside is completely different... There are fifty Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and dozens of clerks helping out.

Every room was packed with people, and thick stacks of documents piled on the desks. Everyone was so busy that their feet barely touched the ground, some writing furiously at their desks, others calculating accounts, their pens flying and abacuses clattering – it looked even busier than the construction site outside.

(End of this chapter)